As a busy mum, I sometimes struggle to look after my hair properly. When I’ve had a sleepless night I don’t want to spend valuable tea drinking time on hair care. But when my hair looks good, I feel better about myself and I often forget that I’m tired and sleep deprived. So over the years I have learnt some hair care tips that can get this busy mum out the door with lovely looking tresses.

Hair Care Tips for Busy Mums

Hair Care Products

Using the right hair care products is the key to having healthy and beautiful hair.

You should treat your hair care as you would your skin care. For example, you would never buy a moisturiser for very dry skin if your skin is oily and prone to break outs.

The same rules apply to hair care. It is important to become familiar with your hair. Is it dry, oily, curly, straight, frizzy, flyaway, lank or a combination of these? Once you have worked out what your hair is like then you need to make sure that you use the right products for that hair type.

My hair is very fine. It breaks easily and the ends are dry. I use products that are designed to lock in moisture.

But it also has a tendency to become greasy if I use products that are too heavy. To combat this, I use shampoos and conditioner that work with the natural oils of my hair. And that are light enough not to weigh my hair down.

Over the years I have discovered some fabulous hair care products. Sadly, I don’t own all of these at the moment. But these are definitely on my Amazon wish list and are my products of choice when my hair is in need of some pampering.

Shampoo and Conditioner

1. Recently my hair has been lank and flat. So I’ve been using a shampoo designed to give my hair volume. John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume Shampoo is brilliant at giving my hair some lift and oomph. It also leaves my hair feeling beautifully soft and moisturised.

2. If I use one shampoo for too long then my hair can get used to it. So I like to alternate between two. My other choice of shampoo is the new L’Oréal Elvive Haircare Fibrology Air Shampoo. This latest innovation in hair care is especially designed for fine hair. It is light and cleansing. And is perfect for when I want my hair to be clean and fresh.

3. Conditioner is as important as shampoo. But if I use too much my hair can become lank and greasy. It can look like I haven’t bothered to wash it at all. That is why I love to use John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume Conditioner. It conditions my hair and gives it the added volume it desperately needs.

Additional Hair Care Products

It isn’t enough to have only shampoo and conditioner in your hair arsenal. Your hair deserves to be pampered.

If you want to avoid those days when a hat is your only remedy then my main recommendation is to give your hair some extra love and TLC. When I can I use a blow dry spray, a hair oil and a hair mask to really show my locks I care.

1. Once a fortnight I will use L’Oréal Elvive Haircare Fibrology Air Masque. This hair mask is the final weapon in my battle against bad hair. It gives my hair a chance to recover from all the stress it is put under from constant styling. It moisturises, thickens, protects and strengthens. Perfect!

2. Before styling hair, it is important to use a Heat Protection Spray. I hate the idea of drying or styling without protecting my locks first. So I liberally apply Lee Stafford Original Heat Protection Shine Mist Spray 200 ml.

3. If my hair is still looking a little frizzy and flyaway then I use Kerastase Elixir Ultime The Imperial Radiance Beautifying Oil. Just one pump of this beautifying dry oil smooths my hair and leaves it shiny and soft.

The lovely people at John Frieda recently sent me some other products from their Luxurious Volume range to try. So as well as using the shampoo and conditioner (which I had purchased myself) I’ve been using the John Frieda 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment and their Perfectly Full Mousse.

4. My hair is so straight that it can often look like a Morticia Addams wig. So sometimes I need to pamper my hair with a treatment that is designed to treat my limp hair. That is why the John Frieda 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment* is fantastic. As a busy mum, it is brilliant that this treatment works its magic in only a few minutes while I’m in the shower. And it makes such a difference and lasts over a number of hair washes.

5. I’ve always been a fan of hair mousse. Hair spray makes my hair too stiff and untouchable. But mousse holds my hair in place and gives volume. I’ve noticed that the John Frieda Perfectly Full Mousse* gives my hair the best lift of any other mousse I’ve tried.

Hair Styling tips for busy mums

Once your hair is in perfect condition you’ll want to find some quick and easy hairstyles that work for you. I have a handful of go-to styles that are simple to do and that make the most of my hair.

When time is short then I like to put my hair up. I found most of my every day hairstyles through watching YouTube tutorials.

These are my four favourite hairstyles for helping my hair look fab in a matter of minutes:

1. Dutch Side Braid

This Dutch Side Braid is based on the hairstyle that Jennifer Lawrence wears as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. It takes quite a bit of practise at first. But once you’ve mastered it then this hairstyle is quick, easy and looks lovely.

2. Twisted Side Ponytail

This twisted side ponytail is my favourite hairstyle (it is actually how my hair is styled today). It is a cute and feminine variation of the side ponytail. And it is perfect for anyone (who like me) has flat hair and needs some volume around the crown. In the photographs above, I’ve twisted the hair on both sides of my head. You can adapt this style by moving your parting or twisting your hair on only one side.

3. Double Bun

If I need to get out of the door in a hurry then a double bun is my favourite updo. And it is so easy. This style is also perfect when my hair is greasy or wet.

a) Section hair into a half ponytail.

b) Twist ponytail into a bun and secure it with Kirby grips.

c) Place the remaining hair into a ponytail and twist into a bun.

d) Secure the second bun with Kirby grips.

This style can be loose and messy or as neat as you want it to be.

4. Blow-dry

I am hopeless at blow drying my hair. I find it so dull.

After reading Sali Hughes’ recommendations in The Guardian and watching her video I decided to buy myself the BaByliss Big Hair.

Best. Purchase. Ever!

It is simple to use and it gives me a sleek, smooth and effortless blow dry in 10 minutes.

8 Fabulous Hair Care Tips for Busy Mums

1. Drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

2. Swap your early morning cuppa for a cup of hot water and fresh lemon.

3. Take omega 3 fish oil supplements.

4. Do NOT wash your hair in hot water. The water should be warm and if you can brave it you should finish your hair wash with a blast of cold water.

5. Rinse thoroughly. I guarantee that most women do not spend enough time rinsing the shampoo and conditioner out of their hair. If your hair is often lank and greasy then this could be the problem.

6. Always use a heat protection spray before blow drying or styling your hair.

7. Protect your hair from the elements. Try to wear a hat in the summer and use a product which includes a UV filter.

8. Have a regular hair cut. A regular hair cut is necessary for keeping your hair in great condition. It will rid your hair of split ends and a fabulous new style is always a huge boost to self confidence.

Don’t forget to pin Hair Care Tips for Busy Mums to refer to later.

If you’re a busy mum then I would love to hear your hair care tips.

Hugs

Lucy

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Disclosure

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk.

I was sent the products marked with an * for the purpose of this post. But as always all words and opinions are my own and 100% honest.